Officials Strike in La?

[bigjohn]

http://www.highschoolsports.net/loca...officials-pay/

[HLin NC]

Now is not a good time to be asking for a raise. Our state is facing a $4 billion shortfall in the budget and are to the point of threatening to cut teachers. Some of it is pure politics but there aren't too many more places to cut.

[JRutledge]

It might not be a good time, but unless they want just anyone to work those games, then I suggest they revisit their pay structure. This is not a cheap endeavor as it used to be.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Now is not a good time to be asking for a raise. Our state is facing a $4 billion shortfall in the budget and are to the point of threatening to cut teachers. Some of it is pure politics but there aren't too many more places to cut.

Officials have the same right to loosely organize as a group of independent contractors and decide whether to work or not work the games. Supply and demand at work.

None of these organized activities seem to work, though, because there will be a significant number of officials who will see this as their opportunity to improve their standing in the state by walking on the backs of those who sit out.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Officials have the same right to loosely organize as a group of independent contractors and decide whether to work or not work the games. Supply and demand at work.

None of these organized activities seem to work, though, because there will be a significant number of officials who will see this as their opportunity to improve their standing in the state by walking on the backs of those who sit out.

It could if the "right" officials do this. Just read the article I posted. Many individuals think the JV officials stink. So let them have second-tier officials say enough and I bet the "right" thing happens and they will change their tune. I have seen it personally without a so-called strike or organized action. But I agree, it is probably not going to work out that way.

Peace

[HLin NC]

Officials have the same right to loosely organize

Considering we argue over wing signals, beanbag colors, and whether to wear black shorts or white shorts, then what length of sock to wear with the shorts, I'd hold out 0 hope for a show of solidarity in a "work stoppage"

[Rich]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Considering we argue over wing signals, beanbag colors, and whether to wear black shorts or white shorts, then what length of sock to wear with the shorts, I'd hold out 0 hope for a show of solidarity in a "work stoppage"

And while certain coaches may be vocal and complain about the individuals who will work the games, local school that do a lot of the hiring (around here all non-conference games and all subvarsity) are just looking to fill slots and don't really care as long as those slots are filled.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Considering we argue over wing signals, beanbag colors, and whether to wear black shorts or white shorts, then what length of sock to wear with the shorts, I'd hold out 0 hope for a show of solidarity in a "work stoppage"

There is a difference between arguing over bean bags, then arguing over what pay is just in a very specific area. We never argue over these things about bean bags, it is up to the crew. And when folks want to do something, they do what the top crews do.

Peace

[johnnyg08]

If you top officials strike, you might have a chance...but where I live, there are plenty of quality officials waiting in the wings for a chance...solidarity would never work in our area.

[TXMike]

And it begins.....


Shreveport officials among those walking out | shreveporttimes.com | Shreveport Times

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

And while certain coaches may be vocal and complain about the individuals who will work the games, local school that do a lot of the hiring (around here all non-conference games and all subvarsity) are just looking to fill slots and don't really care as long as those slots are filled.

But not all states work that way. Schools here don't hire or contract with anyone. A local booking agent assigns all games in our 40 HS area. Here, if a local association decided to go on strike, the schools would have no recourse.

The question is, how are games assigned in Louisiana? Looks like their system is similiar to ours. $31 a game is ****ing ridiculous.

Under the comments, crazycat99 wrote:

Once the officials show that they actually know HOW to properly officiate a game, perhaps they will receive more money. Most of the officiating I have seen in recent years is pitiful, if not downright criminal.

Well now's the time dip$hit! Go out there and show them how it's done!

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

If you top officials strike, you might have a chance...but where I live, there are plenty of quality officials waiting in the wings for a chance...solidarity would never work in our area.

Here, if the local association walked out and you decided to work games, you could forget ever working another game once the dispute was settled. That's one thing I'm 100% sure of.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Here, if the local association walked out and you decided to work games, you could forget ever working another game once the dispute was settled. That's one thing I'm 100% sure of.

Is there a chance the state would decertify the association and move quickly to either establish a new one with people willing to work or perhaps divvy up the schools among neighboring associations?

[ajmc]

Sorry guys, but the harsh reality is that, IN GENERAL, schools, ADs, coaches and spectators (who pay school taxes) take the job we do (no matter how well we may do it) for granted and view us as a necessary evil. I'm afraid it's always been that way and there doesn't seem to be any great change on the horizon.

ADs and some coaches may appreciate the effort we put forth and the impact our performance has on the overall product, but even within those that appreciate what we do, few respect us as paid professionals on an equal level as themselves. Perhaps it's the "part-time" nature of what we do, not that conversion to full time makes any sense.

I suspect the teaching, coaching and administrative personnel in schools IN GENERAL view officials as being closer to PTA, school maintenance personnel, school bus drivers, teacher's aids and other positions that are designed to assist making their principal (and superior) roles easier. Some professional level school personnel are very adept and subtle at displaying their sense of superiority, while others are pretty blatant and smug.

The same people who are most offended at any suggestion that their group cut expenses to keep the entire group active, likely see that tactic perfectly reasonable as it relates to officials.

It is what it is, however, and has been that way since whenever we started.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ajmc

The same people who are most offended at any suggestion that their group cut expenses to keep the entire group active, likely see that tactic perfectly reasonable as it relates to officials.

The teachers in my area pay nothing for health insurance and pay no copay at the doctor and have been screaming to high heavens at the suggestion that they join the rest of society in paying a share of their healthcare costs.

At a school I worked at on Saturday night, they have a timer, scorer, and 2 supervisors that all make more for the evening than the varsity officials do ($66 vs. $60). They all work a JV/V tilt, but they don't exactly have to run or do any heavy lifting. From what I told, there are people in the district willing to do this work on a volunteer basis, but union rules prohibit it.